#( ariela + benji parekh 001 )

[ozymandics]

CLOSED STARTER • ari & benji ( @newycrks )

THE THING THEY DON'T TELL YOU about replacing your cravings with exercise is just how damn hard it is to actually exercise. ari puffed and panted as she slowed down from another burst of speed, and made a stop to try and recover her breath. some part of her was actually starting to feel this was a bad idea, as her unconditioned body seem to want alcohol even more now that it was wasting energy. hands on her knees, ari closed her eyes tightly and took a deep breath. no. no. not this time. as her breathing slowed, she took the opportunity to have a look around the park, and that was when her eyes landed on a familiar face. ari hesitated; she hadn't actually properly spoken to benji ever since she left rehab, only then learning about his falling out with chrissy. feeling conflict brew inside of her, ari made the choice to cut it out before it got worse, and decided she might as well wing it. "hey, benj." she tried, approaching him cautiously. "long time no see."

[ozymandics]

ari allowed herself just a little bit of relief when benji offered her the seat. smile growing ever so slightly, she sat down by their side, and gladly took the offer for small talk. "oh, we're good." that was as true as benji needed to know, anyway. though she didn't know the details and didn't want to pry, it was clear that they had enough on their plate. "he's growing so fast, it's insane. these days he saw the snow for the first time, it was the cutest thing." ari nearly found herself getting sidetracked, thinking about the special moment, but caught herself in time, and focused on her friend once more. "we'd love to have you over one of these days, you know. i think you and him would get along well."

benji   flinched   ever   so   slightly   as   they   glanced   up   upon   hearing   their   name,   not   expecting   someone   else   to   be   in   this   section   of   the   park   at   this   time.   they   had   grown   pretty   accustomed   to   having   their   alone   time,   some   peace   before   the   city   seemed   to   flood   with   people,   especially   this   time   of   year. 

“   ari   ,   ”   benji   answered   with   a   small   smile,   a   hesitant   one.   the   guilt   they   felt   over   everything   only   made   them   cautious,   worried   that   they   might   say   or   do   the   wrong   thing   still.    still,    they   scooted   over   and   made   room   for   the   other   on   the   bench   beside   them.   “   hi   ..   good   to   see   you.   how   are   you   ?   and   the   little   one   ?   ”